Backcountry Forum
Backpacking & Hiking Gear

Backcountry Forum
Our long-time Sponsor - the leading source for ultralite/lightweight outdoor gear
 
 
 

Amazon.com
Backpacking Forums
---- Our Gear Store ----
The Lightweight Gear Store
 
 WINTER CAMPING 

Shelters
Bivy Bags
Sleeping Bags
Sleeping Pads
Snow Sports
Winter Kitchen

 SNOWSPORTS 

Snowshoes
Avalanche Gear
Skins
Hats, Gloves, & Gaiters
Accessories

 ULTRA-LIGHT 

Ultralight Backpacks
Ultralight Bivy Sacks
Ultralight Shelters
Ultralight Tarps
Ultralight Tents
Ultralight Raingear
Ultralight Stoves & Cookware
Ultralight Down Sleeping Bags
Ultralight Synthetic Sleep Bags
Ultralight Apparel


the Titanium Page
WM Extremelite Sleeping Bags

 CAMPING & HIKING 

Backpacks
Tents
Sleeping Bags
Hydration
Kitchen
Accessories

 CLIMBING 

Ropes & Cordage
Protection & Hardware
Carabiners & Quickdraws
Climbing Packs & Bags
Big Wall
Rescue & Industrial

 MEN'S APPAREL 

Jackets
Shirts
Baselayer
Headwear
Gloves
Accessories

 WOMEN'S APPAREL 

Jackets
Shirts
Baselayer
Headwear
Gloves
Accessories

 FOOTWEAR 

Men's Footwear
Women's Footwear

 CLEARANCE 

Backpacks
Mens Apparel
Womens Apparel
Climbing
Footwear
Accessories

 BRANDS 

Black Diamond
Granite Gear
La Sportiva
Osprey
Smartwool

 WAYS TO SHOP 

Sale
Clearance
Top Brands
All Brands

 Backpacking Equipment 

Shelters
BackPacks
Sleeping Bags
Water Treatment
Kitchen
Hydration
Climbing


 Backcountry Gear Clearance

Topic Options
Rate This Topic
#117002 - 06/08/09 02:18 AM Re: inexpensive sock options? [Re: ]
lori Offline
member

Registered: 01/22/08
Posts: 2801
I'm probably no help to you, then. I wear my wool socks year round. I've found that thinner socks aren't as comfortable.
_________________________
"In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities. In the expert's mind there are few." Shunryu Suzuki

http://hikeandbackpack.com

Top
#117009 - 06/08/09 09:56 AM Re: inexpensive sock options? [Re: ]
Pika Online   content
member

Registered: 12/08/05
Posts: 1814
Loc: Rural Southeast Arizona
You might look around for lambswool gym socks. Try looking at the local team athletic supply store. These are cheap, comfortable and reasonably durable.

Edit: Please bear in mind that I have not used lambswool gym socks in over 20 years so can't even assure you that they are still available.


Edited by Pika (06/08/09 09:57 AM)
_________________________
May I walk in beauty.

Top
#117012 - 06/08/09 10:07 AM Re: inexpensive sock options? [Re: ]
finallyME Offline
member

Registered: 09/24/07
Posts: 2710
Loc: Utah
I recommend nylon/acrylic dress socks. Don't worry about the percentages. Just get some with no cotton. Gold-toes are a good brand. And, man do they keep my feet cool with little sweat. Also, they have different thickness' of dress socks. Don't get the supper thin, and also not the supper thick.
_________________________
I've taken a vow of poverty. To annoy me, send money.

Top
#117015 - 06/08/09 12:15 PM Re: inexpensive sock options? [Re: ]
ohiohiker Offline
member

Registered: 07/20/07
Posts: 127
Loc: Ohio
I like to wear acrylic/polyester dress socks. The polyester seems faster-drying than the nylon, but less durable.

For a little more padding, I like the polyester Adidas brand ankle-length athletic socks. They also sell cotton ones which look very similar, so scrutinize the label. smile I've seen them at walmart and similar stores.

Top
#117023 - 06/08/09 03:51 PM Re: inexpensive sock options? [Re: ohiohiker]
thecook Offline


Registered: 10/03/08
Posts: 541
Loc: Minnesota
I saw synthetic socks very much like Thorlo's light hikers at Walmart the other day. This may be a heavier sock than you want, but I've had good luck with Thorlo's in the summer and the Walmart ones should be mich cheaper.
_________________________
If I wouldn't eat it at home, why would I want to eat it on the trail?

Top
#117043 - 06/09/09 07:15 AM Re: inexpensive sock options? [Re: ]
GrumpyGord Online   content
member

Registered: 01/05/02
Posts: 945
Loc: Michigan
I wore work socks for years and they always worked well. The last few years I have worn smartwool year around.

Top
#117080 - 06/10/09 12:36 AM Re: inexpensive sock options? [Re: ]
cpetterson Offline
newbie

Registered: 05/11/09
Posts: 12
Loc: Alberta
At first I had some soccer socks that were 100% polyester, but they were tall! As well as the smartwool socks that were heavy and warm, they worked great for a cool morning. But after looking at Wal-mart, Zellers and most other department stores here in Canada. I am convinced that there are no cheap mens socks in Canada that don't have any cotton in them with the exception of HEAVY work socks. So to find a solution, I snuck into the ladies section and found an assortment of nylon/spandex blend socks that are both light and very cheap! But as I have read, there are plenty of cheap, non-cotton, options in the mens section as well! I prefer a nylon blend, just like my t-shirts wick sweat and dry a lot faster than my polyester shirts IMO.

Top
#117190 - 06/12/09 03:26 PM Re: inexpensive sock options? [Re: ]
sabre11004 Offline
member

Registered: 05/05/07
Posts: 513
Loc: Tennessee
I always use a liner even in the summer time. I usually use a very thin nylon liner under some sort of wool sock, again, whether it is in the winter or the summer, I use the same set-up. This helps keep my feet a little dryer and both the nylon liner and the wool sock will dry out pretty quickly whenever you stop for a rest on the trail. It also lets the nylon liner take a lot of the friction and wear and tear so that I have trouble with blisters much less than I normally would..sabre11004... goodjob
_________________________
The first step that you take will be one of those that get you there 1!!!!!

Top
#117294 - 06/15/09 02:38 PM Re: inexpensive sock options? [Re: ]
BarryP Offline
member

Registered: 03/04/04
Posts: 1574
Loc: Eastern Idaho
“and i think my fancy wool socks are overkill for hiking in”

Yes. For warm, humid hiking, wool burns up your feet. That’s one of the ingredients for blisters.

“but while at walmart the other day, i wasn't sure what choice of sock would be the best.”

I don’t know if your walmart carries them but Dickey’s makes an excellent dark non-cotton sock. They have 2 types. I bought both. And they both work very well at wicking sweat, keeping the feet cool, and are excellent for stream crossings.

I speak with a caveat. I’m a teva sandal hiker.

May everyone find their foot zen.
-Barry

Top
#117340 - 06/16/09 08:28 PM Re: inexpensive sock options? [Re: ]
sarbar Offline
member

Registered: 07/15/05
Posts: 1453
Loc: WA
I can't say go cheap - I really cannot. I'd rather wear cheap pants over cheap socks.

http://www.injinji.com/tetratsok/p_crew.htm

I live in Injinji socks!
_________________________
Freezer Bag Cooking, Trail Cooking, Recipes, Gear and Beyond:
www.trailcooking.com

Top
#117349 - 06/17/09 08:16 AM Re: inexpensive sock options? [Re: sarbar]
BrianLe Offline
member

Registered: 02/26/07
Posts: 1149
Loc: Washington State, King County
I like Injinji's too, but one of the things that make them a more expensive option is that they don't last as long, at least for me --- tend to wear out on the ball of the foot.

I typically carry a pair, and if I feel like I'm starting to get toe blisters, I'll wear them more.
_________________________
Brian Lewis
http://postholer.com/brianle

Top

Shout Box

Highest Quality Lightweight Down Sleeping Bags
 
Western Mountaineering Sleeping Bags
 
Lite Gear Talk - Featured Topics
Backcountry Discussion - Featured Topics
Make Your Own Gear - Featured Topics
Featured Photos
Spiderco Chaparral Pocketknife
David & Goliath
Also Testing
Trip Report with Photos
Seven Devils, Idaho
Oat Hill Mine Trail 2012
Dark Canyon - Utah
Who's Online
0 registered (), 160 Guests and 0 Spiders online.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Newest Members
Noodles, McCrary, DanyBacky, Rashy Willia, WanderBison
13240 Registered Users
Forum Links
Disclaimer
Policies
Site Links
Backpacking.net
Lightweight Gear Store
Backpacking Book Store
Lightweight Zone
Hiking Essentials

Our long-time Sponsor, BackcountryGear.com - The leading source for ultralite/lightweight outdoor gear:

Backcountry Forum
 

Affiliate Disclaimer: This forum is an affiliate of BackcountryGear.com, Amazon.com, R.E.I. and others. The product links herein are linked to their sites. If you follow these links to make a purchase, we may get a small commission. This is our only source of support for these forums. Thanks.!
 
 

Since 1996 - the Original Backcountry Forum
Copyright © The Lightweight Backpacker & BackcountryForum